Commercial Food Composting

The Food Composting Program is now available to all of our commercial customers!

Food composting rates for City of Napa (NRWS) businesses are reduced 25% from commercial trash rates.

Food composting service for Napa County Recycling & Waste Services (NCRWS) businesses is included in your monthly rate.

The 200+ businesses currently participating in the program send over 300 tons per month to the composting facility instead of the landfill. Join them!

The food composting program is for any business large or small that generates food scraps and food soiled paper, including restaurants, hotels, wineries, assisted living facilities, grocery stores, schools, manufacturers, cafeterias, coffee shops, etc. NCRWS businesses are located in unincorporated areas of southern Napa County. City businesses that generate food scraps should contact us for more info on the NRWS food composting program.

What is accepted for composting?
All food scraps (including meat & dairy) as well as soiled paper and other compostables are allowed. See a full list of accepted materials.

What containers should I use and when will they be picked up?
We provide 65 gallon green carts for service (look for yellow stickers as well). For indoor equipment, the County/City provides 23 gallon “Slim Jims” or 10 gallon Brutes — which your staff empties into the 65 gallon carts.

In addition to equipment, Napa Recycling, City and County staff will provide signage and decals to reinforce program details and practices. We will also help train your staff and provide printed materials that you can add to employee orientation packets.

How do I sign up for the program?
Call Napa Recycling at (707) 255-5200 to sign up. We will schedule a visit to your business to assist in estimating your equipment needs and ensure that your business has adequate space for the composting containers.

Where does the compost material go?
The material is sent to Napa’s composting facility, where it’s turned into organic compost (instead of to a landfill in Solano County with the rest of Napa’s trash). Residents, businesses and agricultural producers use this compost to enrich soil, prevent erosion, conserve water and fight climate change.

Besides doing something important to conserve the Earth’s limited resources and to reduce greenhouse gases, what are the benefits of participating?
Since food scraps and other compostables make up a significant portion of waste from certain businesses, those businesses should be able to downsize their current garbage service and save money. We can help you switch your service level and calculate potential savings with a free waste assessment.

Also, in a competitive economic landscape, your customers and/or guests will appreciate hearing that your business is making extra efforts to protect the environment.

Tips for a Successful Business Composting Program

Equipment & Service

  • Provide convenient, clearly labeled containers in areas where food & compostables are generated. Napa Recycling can provide signs, posters and decals.
  • Use containers sized appropriately for employee lifting. Food scraps can be very heavy, so large containers should be avoided. Smaller interior bins are provided with this program — they can be emptied in to the brown rolling carts on a regular basis.
  • The rolling carts must be out for pickup by 6:00 am. Roll them out the night before if you keep them indoors.
  • You may choose to line indoor compost containers with Biobags or other certified compostable bags. Alternatives to Biobags must be discussed with Napa Recycling to avoid any composting facility issues — here is a current list of certified compostable bags. Compostable bags can be purchased through your product vendor, at a local retail location (PDF), or online.
  • Where the public will use the containers, be sure to provide ample and clear signage and always place the compost containers next to trash and recycling containers for convenience. It is important to monitor for contamination on a regular basis and make adjustments as needed.
  • Always keep lids closed on the brown carts to minimize odor and/or vectors.

Employee Education

  • Announce the new Food Composting Program at a staff meeting. The president or CEO should send a message of support “from the top.”
  • Make training about the Program part of new employee orientation/training.
  • Designate one or more staff members to oversee the program, monitor for contamination, and provide ongoing feedback to employees.
  • Encourage employee suggestions for program improvement.

Reminders

  • Just as with garbage bins and carts, it is a good idea to periodically clean food composting carts.
  • These same materials have always been in your garbage. With proper handling, the Food Composting Program will not make your business messier.
  • Contact Napa Recycling to receive additional carts.
  • Publicize your green program! Let your customers know that you are composting food scraps instead of sending them to the landfill.

Additional Notes